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Hayes catches on at linebacker

Season in Chicago with Urlacher and Briggs was a learning experience

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks to pass while warming up before an NFL preseason football game between the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2013, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Stephen Morton Associated Press Jaguars outside linebacker Geno Hayes warms up before the preseason game against the Dolphins on Aug. 9.

This is a 2013 photo of Geno Hayes of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL football team. This image reflects the Jacksonville Jaguars active roster as of Monday, June 10, 2013 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)

Spending a year watching NFL greats Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs last season in Chicago served as a valuable teaching tool for the former Florida State standout.

Hayes went from starting at least 13 games a season for Tampa Bay from 2009-11 to starting three last season with the Bears.

He averaged 81 tackles for the Buccaneers in those three seasons, but made just 24 in 15 games last season in Chicago.

A lost year? No way, according to Hayes.

Learning how Urlacher and Briggs approached the game helped elevate him. The 26-year-old Hayes signed with the Jaguars in March and has locked down a starting spot with a stellar offseason.

“After watching Urlacher and Briggs last season, it caught on with me,” Hayes said. “I had the opportunity to sit back and watch two legends. When you have the opportunity to watch those kinds of men play the game and practice the game every day, you understand what it is to really be a pro. I didn’t really get that my first couple years in the league.”

Jaguars defensive coordinator Bob Babich has had a unique perspective in watching Hayes’ growth. He coached Chicago’s linebackers last season before being hired by Jaguars coach Gus Bradley.

“Geno definitely has matured,” Babich said. “Geno is a young guy, even though he’s been in the league for a while. He has matured in the last year. Geno has always had the talent. We just needed the consistency out of him and he’s shown that this spring and in training camp.”

The 6-foot-1, 226-pound Hayes has also been aided by his familiarity with Babich, and, to a lesser extent, Bradley, who coached Tampa’s linebackers in Hayes’ rookie season.

Hayes’ experience with the scheme has helped him learn from his mistakes at a quick rate. He’s made five tackles in the preseason, second among the projected 11 starters on defense behind Paul Posluszny’s seven.

“He’s showing up on tape now in games,” Bradley said. “He’s playing faster with every opportunity he gets out there. He played fast in our game against the Jets. He’s getting more of a comfort level.

“The great thing about Geno is he really needs to see it once in a game situation or in practice and he usually gets it corrected.”

Middle linebacker Posluszny and outside linebacker Russell Allen excel at stopping the run. Each player recorded over 100 tackles last season.

However, the Jaguars entered the offseason needing to find a linebacker who could improve their coverage.

First-year general manager Dave Caldwell signed Hayes to a two-year, $1.95 million contract to help solve the problem. So far, Hayes has filled the void.

“It was a big-time addition for our defense to get a player like that,” Posluszny said. “We were short a guy like that and we’re glad we have him.

“He’s a very good athlete. He moves really well, so he’s really good at doing both. He can stop the run and he’s great in coverage.”